Translation guide
Describes the sensation of dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo. Japanese has several common expressions that differ by nuance: spinning vertigo, feeling faint, or general unsteadiness.
The room or surroundings seem to spin around you.
Literally 'eyes spin'. The most common way to say you feel dizzy, especially when the world seems to spin.
When I stood up suddenly, I got dizzy.
Noun meaning dizziness or vertigo. Often used with する to mean 'feel dizzy'.
Onomatopoeic expression for a lightheaded, spinning sensation. Often used when feeling faint.
My head was spinning, so I sat down.
About to faint, vision going dark, or feeling weak and unsteady.
Specifically dizziness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension). Very common.
I got dizzy standing up and everything went black.
Literally 'cause anemia'. Used when dizziness is from low blood pressure or anemia.
Onomatopoeic for feeling unsteady, lightheaded, or about to faint. Can also mean staggering.
I feel dizzy and weak from the fever.
Feeling wobbly, off-balance, or like you might fall.
Formal/medical term for losing one's sense of balance.
I lost my balance due to an ear infection.
Onomatopoeic for staggering or tottering, often from dizziness or weakness.
I walked unsteadily because of dizziness.
目が回る emphasizes a spinning sensation (vertigo), while めまいがする is a broader term for dizziness including lightheadedness. Use 目が回る when the room seems to spin.
I got dizzy on the teacup ride at the amusement park.
I felt dizzy from fatigue.
めまい is a noun, so 'I am dizziness' is unnatural. Use めまいがする (I have dizziness) instead.
I get dizzy when I look down from high places.
She felt dizzy and had to sit down.
めまいがして、立っていられなかった。
I felt dizzy and couldn't stand.
I got dizzy from anemia and almost collapsed.